The SCALENANO project aims to develop cost-effective solar energy technology using sophisticated thin film technologies. The €10 million project is a part of the European Commission’s FP7-ENERGY programme. The University of Nottingham will play a major role in this project.
Professor Kwang-Leong Choy
Solar cell panels are used for converting solar radiation into electricity. These cell panels are expensive due to the cost involved in their manufacturing processes. Production of silicon solar cells requires clean rooms, high temperatures and vacuum processes. A cost-effective method for fabricating solar cells with high efficiency will be beneficial to the industry.
The Novel Nanostructured Thin/Thick Film Processing Group at the University of Nottingham has joined the SCALENANO project, which involves 13 partners from the industry, universities and research institutes. The University of Nottingham’s research group is being led by Professor Kwang-Leong Choy.
Significant challenges exist with regard to the material used for thin film solar cell production as well as to the deposition of the material on the cells. Indium is not available in abundance and alternatives to this material are being studied by the researchers in Nottingham. The researchers have earlier made significant achievements in the development of thin film solar cell technologies.
The Director of Business Engagement at the University of Nottingham, Mike Carr stated that the innovations developed by Professor Choy and the research team can provide significant benefits to the solar cell industry. The university was interested in partnering with businesses towards commercializing the novel ideas and products.
Source: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/